How to Check a Dryer's Heater Coil

An electric dryer uses a heater coil and motorized blower to force warm air into the clothes drum. The coils fit inside a metal container for better reflection of heat. On many dryers, the container is oblong and box shaped. On GE dryers the heater coils fit inside a saucer-shaped container. If the dryer stops heating, try disconnecting and testing the coil with a multimeter to check if electricity is passing through the unit or if it is broken.

Screwdriver
Multimeter

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the appliance's power cord and slide it away from the wall to reach the back cover plate.
- 2
  Unscrew the clamp in the hose connected to the bottom of the appliance and pull off the hose.
- 3
  Remove the screws around the four edges of the cover plate using the screwdriver. Pull the plate off the cabinet to expose the interior. The heating element canister is usually on the left, or in the center on GE dryers.
- 4
  Take out the mounting screw holding the heating element to the power socket. Unplug the canister from the socket.
- 5
  Set the multimeter to test for ohms. Place the rods on the end of the testing device onto the two electrodes protruding from the end of the heating canister. If the multimeter registers an infinite or zero readout, the coil is defective. Buy a replacement from the dryer manufacturer or an appliance repair store. The coil cannot be repaired.

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